--- title: "Beyond the Appearance · 21 Oct 2026 — Reflection Church" description: "Hi Reflection family and friends! From the Reflection Church newsletter, Wednesday 21 October 2026." canonical: "https://www.reflectionchurch.life/newsletter/2026-10-21-beyond-the-appearance" --- # Beyond the Appearance [Newsletter](https://www.reflectionchurch.life/newsletter) · Wednesday 21 October 2026 Hi Reflection family and friends! This weekend, my husband John and I spent some time at Shenandoah National Park. The fall foliage is currently at its peak! We always anticipate this time of year. For me, the anticipation alone feels so renewing. To be certain that something so beautiful is on its way because it has showed up every time before, without fail. And when it's here, I'm always in awe. If you haven't had the chance yet, I hope you're able to spend some time this week just enjoying this awesome part of God's creation :) ![the view from the top of Blackrock Summit](https://ukgxz9j3gftdr4kp.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/newsletter/2026/973e8c3c-d227-4196-b2ab-7a637f95624c-uZyb5UrwAajw2n0Bb1fgrrwtPnFlLz.jpg) ## Blackrock Summit October 18, 2026 // Shenandoah National Park ## From Sunday’s message From Sunday’s message ### True generosity is an overflow of a Spirit-filled heart; greed is an overflow of selfish ambition. Acts 4:36-5:11 · Pastor Chris · Sun 18 Oct > 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. > > Acts 5:3-4 Sunday's message focused on particular members of the early church: Joseph and a couple, Ananias and Sapphira. Joseph was "full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" (Acts 11:24) and sold his possessions to give all the money he had to meet the needs of the others. He was inclined to do so from the joy and generosity that occupied his own heart. Ananias and Sapphira, seeing others do this, sold a piece of their property. They approached the apostles with a portion of the proceeds, claiming that they, too, were giving all that they had. Pastor Chris highlighted that Ananias and Sapphira didn't have to sell their land or offer anything at all. They observed others, like Joseph, who were acting out of a pure Spirit-driven unity and thought that mirroring the action alone would yield them the same reward (in this case- a revered reputation). However, the harvest of their greed and deception was death. Many of my childhood years were marked by a constant need to 1\. figure out what the "right thing" to do was and 2\. do it immediately. My motive was a fear that, if I did not do that, I would not be in right standing with God. If I couldn't get past step 1, it crippled me because I wasn't a "good Christian" unless everyone perceived me to be one. As my true relationship with Jesus later grew, I began realizing that so many of the broken things I thought I successfully avoided or removed from my heart were still there all along. All of my efforts fueled the appearance of faithfulness, that were even convincing to myself, but did nothing to actually transform my heart in the Light. The overflow of Joseph's heart, as we'll see throughout the remainder of Acts, continues to bless the church remarkably. As the Holy Spirit filled him, so has He been renewing me in Love. Questions to sit with 1. What has the overflow of your heart been like lately? Sit with the honest answer- not the "ideal" answer. 2. When you see others be positively recognized for their expressions of faith/generosity/etc., does that impact you? If so, how? [Answer in your notes](https://www.reflectionchurch.life/portal/notes?answer=c03f6b68-dcc2-4997-99d7-63b5ba8c8202:bpgmmab) Sign in, or use the link in your email. Answers are never public. ## What’s ahead… **25**Oct **This Sunday**3:30 PM · 626 Lathrop Ave[Get directions →](https://maps.app.goo.gl/XFsc3G6LwE9rwUEt5) **25**Oct **Fall Fest 2026**4:30 PM – 7:00 PM[I’m coming →](https://www.reflectionchurch.life/events/fall-fest-2026) ## Your next step ### Join a community Communities are formed with 10-15 people who live in the same part of Jersey. Andrew would love to help you find yours. [Find a community →](https://www.reflectionchurch.life/community) ### Reflection Kids Register your kids once, and Sunday check-in takes seconds. [Register your kids →](https://www.reflectionchurch.life/kids/register) ### How can we pray for you? Prayer requests are read by our elders. They are not shared publicly or posted anywhere. [Send a prayer request →](https://www.reflectionchurch.life/prayer-request) You don’t give to a church. You give through a church. [Give](https://www.reflectionchurch.life/give) Blessings, Emily Rice ## Get the next one by email Occasional news from Reflection: what’s coming up, and things worth knowing. [Sign up](https://www.reflectionchurch.life/newsletter)